Day: March 23, 2010

Note from JWR:

I’m scheduled to be the guest in the first hour tonight on the Nightwatch syndicated radio show, from 9 to 10 p.m. Central time in the U.S. — Today we present another entry for Round 27 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will include: First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost between $500 and $600, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, …


A “10% Test” Survival Trip by C.J. in Helena Montana Edited by Capt. Barr

I work as an independent hospital contractor. Our home base is in Montana, but I am independent. I work as temporary health care staff at hospitals, being licensed in about 5 states. I usually make pretty good money traveling, but I miss having a fixed point in case of crisis. My wife and I really enjoy living in Montana, we were having a good life: hunting in the mountains panning for gold and camping. While working at a good paying contract, the hospital I was with had asked about renewing the job for another several weeks. I accepted the renewal …


Letter Re: How to Stock up on FDA-Approved Prescription Medicines

Mr. Rawles: I have been a registered pharmacist for 34 years. Most drugstores and insurance companies allow you to get up to a 90-day supply of prescription medications at a time. The “Refill-Too-Soon” edit, which is what prevents you from getting a prescription right after getting another one for the same drug filled is usually set at 75% of the days supply. For example, if you are taking a high blood pressure medication once a day, then a 90-day supply is 90 pills. Seventy-five percent of ninety days is sixty-eight days. Therefore, if we use April 1, 2010 as the …


Four Letters Re: Building Your Kits for Survival

James, I read with great interest the piece by Jeff M. on building kits. I was kind of taken aback by his statement “I just won’t be one of those guys who carries a purse”. I guess in these days I need to understand what a purse is because I am a professional person who goes to meeting all over the state in a suit and tie and I always have what my family calls my purse with me. I carry an old trusted backpack that contains my laptop, but also carries all of my immediate survival needs (knife, first …


Economics and Investing:

GG sent this Wall Street Journal article: Public Pension Deficits Are Worse Than You Think Reader S.M. sent us some more evidence that the US is slipping towards the edge of a bond rating downgrade by Moody’s: Obama Pays More Than Buffett as U.S. Risks AAA Rating. Also, further economic difficulties with managing growing public debt: Lipsky Says ‘Acute’ Debt Challenges Face Advanced Economies. Items from The Economatrix: Agora Financial’s Five-Minute Forecast Court Says Fed Must Disclose Bank Bailout Records A Salon opinion piece by Gene Lyons: It’s Time for Wall Street to Pay Health Care Companies Pull Stock Market …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Greg C. wrote to mention that Wiggy’s is continuing their 20% off sale on sleeping bags, with free shipping. Order soon, since they rarely extend their sales into the backpacking season!    o o o Frequent content contributor Brian B. sent this: There’s a new buzz in gardening; With honey bees in decline, stacking-tray ‘condos’ attract mason bees that will pollinate fruit trees    o o o “Oxy” sent us this from The Wall Street Journal: Cartel Wars Gut Juárez, a Onetime Boom Town